Definition
Malik B and Mr. Green Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

After bein' 25 you know just trying to survive in the world
Bout to have a little boy or baby girl. Who knows?
Anyway just when you start getting that little age and experience to you
You start thinking about stuff, trying to make the right moves
So bust it out this is what I was thinking check it

Yo the education of the Lon chicka Lonnie Lynn
Began, began with time
Being my bloodline is one with the divine
In time brother, you will discover the light
Some say that God is Black and the Devil's White
Well, the Devil is wrong and God is what's right
I fight, with myself in the ring of doubt and fear
The rain ain't gone, but I can still see clear
As a child, given religion with no answer to why
Just told believe in Jesus 'cause for me he did die
Curiosity killed the catechism
Understanding and wisdom became the rhythm that I played to
And became a slave to master self
A rich man is one with knowledge, happiness and his health
My mind had dealt with the books of Zen, Tao the lessons
Koran and the Bible, to me they all vital
And got truth within 'em, gotta read them boys
You just can't skim 'em, different branches of belief
But one root that stem 'em, but people of the venom try to trim 'em
And use religion as an emblem
When it should be a natural way of life
Who am I or they to say to whom you pray ain't right
That's who got you doing right and got you this far
Whether you say "in Jesus name" or Hum do Allah
Long as you know it's a bein' that's supreme to you
You let that show towards others in the things you do
'Cause when the trumpets blowing, 24 elders surround the throne
Only 144,000 goin' get home
Only 144,000 goin' get home
Only 144,000 goin' get it baby

I've lived and I've learned
I have taken and I've earned
I have laughed, I've cried
I have failed and I have tried
Sunshine, pouring rain
Found joy through all my pain
I just want to be happy with being me

Let me voice my concern
So many of my fellow brothers have given themselves a title
That their actions didn't earn
Our ignorance is in the same breath as our innocence
Subconsciously, seeking to find an impressionable mind to convince
I've finally come to the realization why Black people in the worse place
Cause it's hard to correct yourself when you don't know
Who you are in the first place
So I try to find the clue in you
But evidently, White folks know more Black history than we do
Why're we bein' lied to? I ain't know our history was purposely hidden
Damn, somethin' in me want to know who I am
So I began my search, my journey started in church
It gave my heartache relief when I started to understand belief
Hustling was like a gift spent my share of time in the streets
Taught me survival from this evil I'm just gonna have to deal with
And I felt like a fool when I tried to learn it in school
It almost seemed like a rehearsal when the only
Science and math are universal
Taking elder advice, read the Bible, the Koran
Searched scrolls from the Hebrew Israelites
Hold on, this ain't right, Jesus wasn't White
Some leads were granted with insight
And it's all in the plan, but it took me some time to over stand
He still created with the imperfection of man
So, with followin' I disagree
By no means have I forgotten or forgiven what's been done to me but
I do know the Devil ain't no White man, the Devil's a spiritual mind
That's color blind, there's evil White folk and evil niggas
You goin' surely find there's no positivity without negativity
But one side you gonna have to choose
Any chance to speak I refuse to misuse
So how can you call yourself God when you let a worldly possession
Become an obsession and the way you write your rhymes and
Can't follow your lesson
If a seed's sown, you make sure it's known, you make sure it's grown
If you God, then save your own, don't mentally enslave your own
If you God, then save your own, don't mentally enslave your own
If you God, then save your own, don't mentally enslave your own

Well, I've lived and I've learned
I've taken and I've earned
I have laughed, I have cried
I failed and I have tried
Sunshine, pouring rain
I found joy through my pain




Just want to be happy, being me
Being me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of the song Definition by Malik B and Mr. Green discuss the journey of self-discovery and the pursuit of knowledge and truth. Common recalls his own journey of educating himself, beginning with his upbringing in a religious household where he was taught to believe in Jesus with no explanation. However, he eventually became curious about other religious texts, such as the Quran and the Bible, and found truth within them. Common acknowledges that different beliefs stem from one root and emphasizes the importance of letting people follow their own natural way of life, regardless of their religion.


Cee-Lo then voices his concern about the lack of knowledge and history among his fellow Black people, attributing this to the intentional erasure of their history. He speaks of his own journey towards understanding his identity and the importance of seeking knowledge and understanding belief. He also emphasizes the need to address internal issues, such as mental enslavement and obsession with worldly possessions.


Overall, the song emphasizes the importance of self-education and understanding, as well as the need to address internal issues before attempting to enact change in the world.


Line by Line Meaning

After bein' 25 you know just trying to survive in the world
After reaching the age of 25, you start to understand the hardships of life and the need to navigate through them.


Bout to have a little boy or baby girl. Who knows?
At this age, you may also be considering starting a family and the uncertainties that come with it.


Anyway just when you start getting that little age and experience to you
As you gain more maturity and life experience, you begin to think more deeply about your actions and decisions.


You start thinking about stuff, trying to make the right moves
You become more introspective, constantly analyzing your choices in order to ensure you're making the best decisions.


So bust it out this is what I was thinking check it
Now, let me express my thoughts and ideas on this matter.


Yo the education of the Lon chicka Lonnie Lynn
Listen, here's the story of Lonnie Lynn's educational journey.


Began, began with time
It all started with the passage of time.


Being my bloodline is one with the divine
Since my ancestry connects me to a divine force,


In time brother, you will discover the light
Eventually, my friend, you will come to understand the truth and find enlightenment.


Some say that God is Black and the Devil's White
There are those who believe that God is associated with Blackness and the Devil with Whiteness.


Well, the Devil is wrong and God is what's right
But the truth is, the Devil is mistaken and God represents righteousness.


I fight, with myself in the ring of doubt and fear
I constantly struggle with my own internal conflicts and insecurities.


The rain ain't gone, but I can still see clear
Although challenges persist, I can still find clarity and understanding.


As a child, given religion with no answer to why
During my childhood, I was presented with religious beliefs without being given a satisfactory explanation as to why.


Just told believe in Jesus 'cause for me he did die
I was simply told to have faith in Jesus because he died for my salvation.


Curiosity killed the catechism
My inquisitiveness led me to question established religious practices.


Understanding and wisdom became the rhythm that I played to
Instead, I found solace in seeking understanding and wisdom, which became the guiding principles in my life.


And became a slave to master self
I devoted myself to mastering self-awareness and personal growth.


A rich man is one with knowledge, happiness and his health
True wealth is not measured by material possessions, but by possessing knowledge, happiness, and good health.


My mind had dealt with the books of Zen, Tao the lessons
I delved into the teachings of Zen and Taoism, finding valuable lessons within.


Koran and the Bible, to me they all vital
Both the Islamic Quran and the Christian Bible held significant importance to me.


And got truth within 'em, gotta read them boys
These texts contain profound truths, and it's essential to thoroughly study and understand them.


You just can't skim 'em, different branches of belief
It's not enough to merely skim through these texts; one must delve deep into their teachings. They represent different belief systems.


But one root that stem 'em, but people of the venom try to trim 'em
Despite their different origins, they all stem from a common root. Nevertheless, some individuals with malicious intentions attempt to distort their teachings.


And use religion as an emblem
They misuse religion as a symbol or tool for their own gain.


When it should be a natural way of life
Instead, religion should serve as a genuine and intrinsic part of one's way of life.


Who am I or they to say to whom you pray ain't right
Who am I, or anyone else, to judge someone's chosen form of prayer or worship?


That's who got you doing right and got you this far
What truly matters is the connection you feel with your chosen higher power, which guides you in leading a virtuous life and has brought you this far.


Whether you say "in Jesus name" or Hum do Allah
It doesn't matter if you invoke Jesus or Allah in your prayers; it's the sincerity and commitment that counts.


Long as you know it's a bein' that's supreme to you
As long as you acknowledge the existence of a supreme being that holds importance in your life,


You let that show towards others in the things you do
it's important to reflect that belief through your actions and interactions with others.


'cause when the trumpets blowing, 24 elders surround the throne
For when the final judgment comes, and the trumpets sound, twenty-four revered individuals will stand before the divine throne.


Only 144,000 goin' get home
Out of all humanity, only 144,000 will be granted salvation and eternal happiness.


I've lived and I've learned
I have experienced and gained knowledge.


I have taken and I've earned
I have both received and achieved through my actions.


I have laughed, I've cried
I have experienced both joy and sorrow.


I have failed and I have tried
I have faced setbacks but also made efforts to succeed.


Sunshine, pouring rain
I have endured both periods of happiness and times of sorrow.


Found joy through all my pain
I have discovered happiness even amidst my hardships.


I just want to be happy with being me
Ultimately, I seek contentment and inner peace by embracing my true self.


Let me voice my concern
Allow me to express my worries and apprehensions.


So many of my fellow brothers have given themselves a title
I observe that many individuals within my community have adopted self-proclaimed labels.


That their actions didn't earn
Unfortunately, their behavior and deeds do not align with the titles they claim.


Our ignorance is in the same breath as our innocence
Our lack of knowledge corresponds to our naivety.


Subconsciously, seeking to find an impressionable mind to convince
Unconsciously, they aim to influence vulnerable minds.


I've finally come to the realization why Black people in the worse place
I have, at last, understood why Black individuals often find themselves in unfavorable circumstances.


Cause it's hard to correct yourself when you don't know
It's difficult to rectify one's shortcomings if they are unaware of their own faults.


Who you are in the first place
Without a clear sense of self-identity, it becomes challenging to address personal flaws and make necessary improvements.


So I try to find the clue in you
Therefore, I attempt to gather insight and understanding from those around me.


But evidently, White folks know more Black history than we do
Ironically, it becomes evident that individuals of White descent possess more knowledge about Black history than many Black people themselves.


Why're we bein' lied to? I ain't know our history was purposely hidden
Why have we been deceived? I was unaware that our history had intentionally been concealed.


Damn, somethin' in me want to know who I am
This realization fuels my desire to uncover and understand my true identity.


So I began my search, my journey started in church
Thus, I embarked on a quest for knowledge, commencing with an exploration of religious institutions.


It gave my heartache relief when I started to understand belief
As I delved deeper into religious teachings, it provided solace and comfort, alleviating my emotional distress.


Hustling was like a gift spent my share of time in the streets
Engaging in street hustling became somewhat of a talent for me, consuming a significant portion of my life.


Taught me survival from this evil I'm just gonna have to deal with
It taught me valuable lessons in survival, as I realized I had to confront the inherent evil present in the world.


And I felt like a fool when I tried to learn it in school
I experienced a sense of foolishness when attempting to acquire this knowledge through conventional schooling methods.


It almost seemed like a rehearsal when the only
The education system often felt like a mere practice or repetition when the only


Science and math are universal
Subjects such as science and math received universal emphasis and recognition.


Taking elder advice, read the Bible, the Koran
Adhering to the wisdom of elders, I explored the teachings of both the Bible and the Quran.


Searched scrolls from the Hebrew Israelites
I also delved into the ancient writings of the Hebrew Israelites.


Hold on, this ain't right, Jesus wasn't White
Wait a minute, something doesn't add up. Jesus, historically, was not depicted as being White.


Some leads were granted with insight
Certain avenues of exploration provided me with valuable insights and knowledge.


And it's all in the plan, but it took me some time to over stand
All these revelations are part of a master plan, but it took me considerable time to fully comprehend and internalize them.


He still created with the imperfection of man
Despite the flaws and imperfections of humanity, the divine Creator still produced us.


So, with followin' I disagree
Therefore, I hold a dissimilar perspective when it comes to blindly following established beliefs.


By no means have I forgotten or forgiven what's been done to me but
I haven't overlooked or forgiven the injustices I have faced, but


I do know the Devil ain't no White man, the Devil's a spiritual mind
I am confident that the Devil is not limited to a particular race; rather, the Devil represents a corrupt mindset.


That's color blind, there's evil White folk and evil niggas
Evil knows no racial boundaries; it can manifest in both White individuals and Black individuals.


You goin' surely find there's no positivity without negativity
We will inevitably encounter both positive and negative forces in life.


But one side you gonna have to choose
However, ultimately, you must choose which side to align yourself with.


Any chance to speak I refuse to misuse
I am committed to utilizing my platform and voice responsibly, refusing to exploit them for personal gain.


So how can you call yourself God when you let a worldly possession
It is hypocritical to claim oneself as godlike while being consumed by material possessions and worldly desires.


Become an obsession and the way you write your rhymes and
Allowing these obsessions to influence the way you express yourself, even in the form of song lyrics,


Can't follow your lesson
Indicates a failure to adhere to the principles and teachings you preach.


If a seed's sown, you make sure it's known, you make sure it's grown
If you plant a seed of knowledge or understanding, it's your responsibility to ensure its dissemination and growth.


If you God, then save your own, don't mentally enslave your own
If you truly consider yourself divine, then focus on uplifting your own community instead of perpetuating mental slavery.


Well, I've lived and I've learned
Through my experiences, I have gained wisdom and knowledge.


I've taken and I've earned
I have both received and worked hard to achieve what I have.


I have laughed, I've cried
I have experienced moments of joy and moments of sorrow.


I have failed and I have tried
I have faced failures but have also made efforts to succeed.


Sunshine, pouring rain
Life has brought both happiness and hardships.


I found joy through my pain
Despite the challenges, I have managed to discover moments of happiness and contentment.


Just want to be happy, being me
Ultimately, my desire is to find happiness and fulfillment by embracing my true self.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Condon Newbill Carnell Jr., Ernest Don Wilson, Lonnie Rashid Lynn, Thomas Callaway

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Alto

The beat is definitely sick and malik killed it

JohnDoe

That's the definition of what hip hop should oughta be!

J Ziggy

At 3:33 if you know you know. This is a powerful song. RIP Malik B forever

The_Vexed_One

Another great track ... Any track Green touches is gold. 

mcsuchnsuch

Damn, my hip hop heroes are disappearing. R.I.P. Malik B. 🙌🏽

Antonio Gambardella

Timeless A classic 🔥💣👊🔝🎙🙏✌

Ala ad-din Abdullah

Rest In Peace Malik B. Incredible MC!

AbbottSupreme

All Respect Due Maximum going out to Mr. Green!
S/O Malik B WordUp!
Peace!

Antonio Gambardella

the classic hip-hop 🔥💣👊🔝🎙🎤

Light Of God- CHRIST FAMILY

I heard that melancholy beautiful sample then those crispy drums from who i like to call the "Incredible Hulk" and i was in aww... Then I was like HELL YEAH WHEN I HEARD THE SMOOTH FLOW FROM MALIK!!!!!!! Fuck the radio I know it is generic but seriously this stuff needs radio play but then I think to myself... What if we keep these dope forbidden experiments to ourselves to indulge ourself into haha alot of DOOM (All caps) inspiration in the Experiment part of the line I wrote lol peace And LOVE!!!!!!!!;

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